Page 97 of Captivated

“Dear Lord, talk about gaslighting. They told you over ‘n’ over again that your thoughts were sinful, that you were broken. How could you trust your own feelings after that?” He rolled Nate onto his back and cupped his chin, the moonlight glinting on the tears streaking his cheeks. “You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. And you nailed it, Nate. The only way out was through, and you made it.”

“I’m done.” Nate’s voice shook. “There’s nothing more to tell, at least nothing else I want to share. You’ve heard the worst of it.”

Zeeb was on his back in a heartbeat. He flung his arm wide in invitation, and Nate didn’t hesitate. He pressed his body against Zeeb’s side, the thin sheet separating them, and laid his head on Zeeb’s bare chest. Hot tears fell onto Zeeb’s skin, but he paid them no mind. He held Nate against him, cradling him, Nate’s sobs ebbing away.

At last Nate lay quiet in Zeeb’s arms. He made as if to break free, and Zeeb cupped Nate’s cheek.

“You don’t have to move on my account,” Zeeb murmured. “If this is how you wanna fall asleep, I’m okay with that. If you need a body to cling to, that’s fine too. Mine is at your disposal. Whatever you need that I can give you.”

Nate craned his neck to look Zeeb in the eye. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Zeeb wiped Nate’s tears away with his fingertips. “No need. Now close your eyes. You’re worn out. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Nate settled his head on Zeeb’s chest once more, and Zeeb held him close.

Don’t think I’ve ever had someone need me the way he does right now.

He closed his eyes, Nate’s body warm against his.

Damn, it felt good to be needed.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

July 24, 2024

Zeeb opened his eyes,his nostrils filled with the scent of cotton and bed-warmed skin. The morning light spilled through the window, catching on the little motes of dust dancing in the air above them. Nate was tight against him, his arm across Zeeb’s waist.

Damn. Now I know why Butch doesn’t sleep in the bunkhouse anymore. Why would he, when he can wake up to this every morning?

What speared through him was the knowledge that in all his years as a sexually active adult, not once had he ever shared his bed for the night.

And what does that say about me?

Then he realized he had to move. He didn’t want Nate waking up to the sight of Zeeb’s morning wood tenting his shorts.

It’s normal.

It has nothing to do with the fact that a beautiful guy is snuggled up to me, and he smells amazing.

Hell, I could sleep with Butch and still wake up in the same state.

His dick jerked, as if to tell Zeeb he was full of shit.

“Morning.”

Fuck.

Zeeb sat up in a hurry. “Morning. Gotta go take a leak.” And with that, he launched himself up off the bed and went down the stairs, doing his best not to fall and break his fool neck.

“Thanks for sharing,” Nate called after him, his tone laced with sleepy amusement.

Zeeb closed the bathroom door and leaned against it. He glanced at his erection, straining against its cotton prison. “You can forget it. Go back to sleep. And fast, please.” Peeing with a boner was a chore. As for shooting a load, that would have to wait until he reached the safety—and distance—of the bunkhouse bathroom.

He wasn’t a shy man, and usually he didn’t give a shit if one of the hands caught him jerking off first thing. When guests were around? That was another matter. But they all did it. Hell, Matt would sprawl on the couch when things got quiet, his hand stuffed down his jeans while he scrolled on Grindr or whatever app he happened to be using to ogle hot guys.

Hey, at least he doesn’t whip it out.

Eventually Zeeb’s dick decided to play ball, and he flushed. He wanted a shower, but this wasn’t his bathroom, and while he’d had no trouble being naked around Nate when they’d swum in the lake, Nate’s cabin felt… inappropriate.